Distribution of benthic foraminifera in Lake Burullus, Egypt
A study of benthic foraminiferal assemblages was carried out in 30 surficial
sediment samples collected from Lake Burullus to investigate the distribution,
abundance and deformities of benthic foraminiferal species in the lake. Benthic
foraminiferal diversity of the bottom sediments of Lake Burullus is very low. A total
of 5 benthic foraminiferal species, belonging to 4 genera, is identified. Ammonia
tepida is the most dominant species in the lake. It constitutes more than 90% of the
total benthic foraminiferal assemblages in the bottom sediments of Lake Burullus. Out
of the 5 species found in the study area, 3 species exhibited morphological
abnormalities. The total percentage of abnormal foraminiferal specimen in each
sample was calculated for each sample. Deformities increase near the eastern drains.